OSE WWI Transcriptions from the Archives

11: S. B. H. Estcourt – Blandford, Dorset – 13 Oct 1918 Dear Mr Sing,

Thank you very much for your letter; the application came through O.K. and I was interviewed by the C.O. of the Wing, and last Friday by the General Commanding the Depot; everything has gone very smoothly, as the whole thing was just a matter of form, seeing that I was accepted for this job, by the Chief of the Photography dept. at the Air Ministry, 6 weeks ago; but was told that, the whole thing would have to go through the regulation channels. I note what you say i.e., Col. Strange [OSE], I did not know we had such a big man in the Air Force. Nethersole [OSE] I know has done very well; and Withington [OSE] I met down in Hastings, while at a Cadet Brigade there, also his people. No, I don’t think I need any help yet; but after I am posted to the school of Photography South Farnborough, I am going to make a fight for having my commission pre-dated to early in April last, seeing that I came over and joined the R.F.C. [Royal Flying Corps] on conditions I was gazetted upon passing my final examination at a school of military aviation; which I did at Durham; and then this Royal Air Force came into being and gazetted people only after they had obtained their ‘wings’ at a flying Squadron. Perhaps Col. Strange might be able to assist me then. All South Africans are at present being gazetted from an S.M.A. I shall try and get down to Winchester, while I am at Farnborough; I know the county just round there very well, considering I was educated for 5 years up to the age of 14 at Twyford School in Winchester. Perhaps you may have met the previous Head of that Preparatory School, the Rev. C. T. Wickham, he still resides at Twyford old Rectory, and a dear old man he is too. The present Head H. C. McDonell is also a great friend of mine; he initiated me into the art of cricket, with good results as you may remember at St Edwards. I must close now, with best of wishes. From yours sincerely, S. Basil H. Estcourt (Flight Cdt)

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